The family and friends of missing First Nations woman Lana Derrick are planning a peaceful demonstration at Ferry Island this Saturday which will include a march to the Terrace RCMP headquarters.
The Walk for Justice aims to inspire government to address the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women not only as a matter to be dealt with through amped up law enforcement but as a deeper social issue that requires an inquiry and substantial response from various institutions.
The disappearance of 19-year-old Northwest Community College student Lana Derrick, who went missing in Terrace in October of 1995, is one of many instances of such cases never being solved.
“This past May, the RCMP released a report that said almost 1,200 aboriginal women have gone missing or been murdered over the last three decades,” states a release from demonstration organizer Wanda Good. “The government, up to now, has treated the issue as a matter of law enforcement.”
“The family and friends would like to keep Lana's case in the forefront of the public mind as well as pressure the governments to discuss the issue of murdered and missing indigenous women and take action through public inquiry.”
The press release goes on to say that recent actions planned by Prime Minister Stephen Harper which includes a commitment of $25 million over five years have merely “repackaged previous announcements around the creation of a DNA-based missing persons index, funding for the RMCP's national centre for missing persons, the funding for shelters and of on-reserve anti-violence programs.”
About 40 to 50 people will be gathering at Ferry Island at 12 noon on Oct.4 for an opening prayer and welcome speeches.
“The group will then walk from Ferry Island to the RCMP detachment in downtown Terrace and will then request a response from RCMP on Lana's case,” states the release.